Pacioretty leads Canadiens' 10-1 rout with four goals

The Canadiens scored six times in the first period and went on to crush the Colorado Avalanche 10-1 behind a five-point performance from Max Pacioretty on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Pacioretty had four goals and an assist as the Canadiens extended their NHL-best record to 19-6-3.

The bottom line: The Canadiens scored six times in the first period and went on to crush the Colorado Avalanche 10-1 behind a five-point performance from Max Pacioretty on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Pacioretty had four goals and an assist as the Canadiens extended their NHL-best record to 19-6-3.

Good night, Calvin: Avalanche goaltender Calvin Pickard started the game, but was yanked after giving up three goals on 10 shots. Brian Flynn opened the scoring with his first goal of the season at 2:56. Pacioretty scored on a 25-foot wrist shot at 5:13 and Artturi Lehkonen converted a pass from Phillip Danault at 7:12. Both players paid the price on the third goal as Danault managed to direct the puck in front as he was being hit behind the net and Danault was sandwiched between two Colorado defenders as he scored.

Hello, Semyon: Pickard gave way to Semyon Varlamov after the Lehkonen goal and he gave up three goals on the first four shots he faced. Pacioretty scored his second of the game at 8:13 when he redirected Andrei Markov’s shot from the point. Paul Byron scored his ninth of the season on a breakaway after defenceman Nikita Zadorov fell in the neutral zone. And Flynn scored his second of the night when his pass from the side boards went in off a defenceman before it reached Daniel Carr in front.

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Dual threat Max: Pacioretty displayed his passing skills when he set up Alexander Radulov to give the Canadiens a 7-1 lead at 11:35 of the second period. Pacioretty was on the side boards when he spotted Radulov cutting through the middle. Radulov returned the favour at 18:37 when he set up Pacioretty for the captain’s third goal of the night. Tomas Plekanec also picked up an assist on the goal, his fourth helper of the night.

Buzzer beater: Jeff Petry made it 9-1 when he scored a power-play goal with one-10th of a second remaining in the second period.

Welcome back, Calvin: Petry’s goal was the sixth scored against Varlamov on 16 shots and Pickard returned for the start of the third period. Pickard gave up Pacioretty’s fourth goal of the night at 7:28. The four goals gave Pacioretty 12 for the season and he has scored seven of those goals in the past four games.

No. 16 for Price: It was a relatively easy night for Carey Price as he posted his NHL-best 16th win of the season. Price not only played with a big lead, but he also faced only 16 shots. He lost his shutout when Blake Comeau scored with 13 seconds remaining in the first period.

Coming up: The Canadiens have an important divisional game Monday when the Boston Bruins visit the Bell Centre (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet, RDS, TSN-690 Radio). They close out the week with back-to-back games. They are home to the San Jose Sharks on Friday before travelling to Washington on Saturday.

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